PLANO (WBAP/KLIF)-North Texas road crews continue to prepare roads in advance of winter weather and ice forecasted for the metroplex.
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) maintenance crews began treating roads on Tuesday and will continue over the next few days to battle projected freezing temperatures and precipitation that can pose dangerous conditions for North Texas drivers.
All drivers are asked to use caution around NTTA vehicles and give them room as they work to pre-treat
the roads.
NTTA uses brine – a heavily salted liquid solution that dries and forms a barrier to combat ice – to pretreat roads prior to inclement winter weather.
NTTA is prepared to use the following resources, depending on the impact of a snow/ice event:
• 109 planned routes
• 106 dump trucks with spreaders to dispense de-icing material
• 17 front-end loaders stationed at sand stockpiles located around the NTTA System
• 37 snowplows
• 30 dually pickup trucks with small spreaders
• 26 brine sprayers
• 5,303 CY (15.9 million pounds) of magnesium-chloride, 5,316 CY (15.9 million pounds) of sand, 4,453 CY (13.3 million pounds) of salt.
If drivers have car trouble, get stuck on a NTTA toll road, or have an emergency on an NTTA roadway,
they can call #999 or dial 9-1-1 to be connected directly to the NTTA Safety Operations Center, a
24/7/365 emergency dispatch facility. When a call is received, NTTA’s Roadside Safety Services (RSS)
crews and/or Department of Public Safety troopers will be on the way to help. Drivers should not dial
their phone while driving.
Earlier this week, maintenance crews for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) also began pretreating roadways.
“The safety of the traveling public is TxDOT’s number one priority, and crews will continue their work monitoring and treating roadways, bridges, and overpasses as needed. As temperatures and precipitation fluctuate, ice on bridges and overpasses continue to be a concern. Drivers are also urged to remain aware of the potential for black ice,” said Val Lopez with TxDOT.
He said driving in inclement weather is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, we offer these safety tips:
Give yourself additional time to reach your destination.
Be considerate and share the road with others.
Wear your seatbelt at all times.
Drive with your headlights on day and night to increase visibility.
Drive to conditions, reduce speed and increase travel distance between your vehicle and others on the road.
Motorists are encouraged to follow the weather forecast and plan ahead. Information on road conditions throughout the state may be found at DriveTexas.org.
